Opinion from residents on life in the Phoenix area (Mesa: apartments, rent)

[mikeyaris]

Hi,

I'm a rookie around here. Recently started reading a lot of post when I got wind that I could be relocated to the Phoenix area this summer. I apologize in advance if this subject has been beat to death. I've lived my adult life in Bloomington, IL and I'm from Chicago(inner city and south suburbs). I have a wife and 2 kids(9 yr old daughter & 6 yr old son). I live in a decent subdivision about 10-15 min from work. Area is pretty safe for the kids to come and go as they please on their bikes within reason in the cul de sac and subdivision. I've had several coworkers relocate the Phoenix area and they were all told the same thing. You want to live in Gilbert/Chandler/Mesa. Now that I'm looking myself, I can't believe some of the great housing prices as well as the cheap property taxes as opposed to what I'm used to paying. A lot of these nice houses are actually in Phoenix. Everyone I talk to highly discourages actually staying in the city. I'm not to keen on having a 30-45 minute drive to work. Our office is actually in the city. My only concern is my definition of safe as opposed to some of my coworkers may be slightly different. Are there decent subdivisions in the city that are relatively safe where I can buy a home for my family in the 200-300k range with decent schools? Also my wife has been a teacher in Illinois for 13 yrs. She will need to get her AZ certificate. How is the teacher job market? Any information from locals that can be provided will be appreciated.

[AZgarden]

You don't need to go into Phoenix to get a house in your price range with a good school district. Where you will be working is the most important issue. You definitely want to know that the morning and evening drive is an important factor when choosing a home. Chandler is a great area with good schools. So is Gilbert. Also Ahwatukee (has a Phoenix address) but the school district is Kyrene. Its not actually in Phoenix. No need to chance the school issue by purchasing in the city. Unless of course you are working on the west side. Then, forget Chandler, Gilbert or Mesa. So, tell us: where is your job???

[mikeyaris]

Originally Posted by PhxBarb

You don't need to go into Phoenix to get a house in your price range with a good school district. Where you will be working is the most important issue. You definitely want to know that the morning and evening drive is an important factor when choosing a home. Chandler is a great area with good schools. So is Gilbert. Also Ahwatukee (has a Phoenix address) but the school district is Kyrene. Its not actually in Phoenix. No need to chance the school issue by purchasing in the city. Unless of course you are working on the west side. Then, forget Chandler, Gilbert or Mesa. So, tell us: where is your job???

444 w 44th STREET, PHOENIX, ARIZONA



I believe it's in gateway 2.

[liz451]

I think you mean S. 44th street. First off, that is technically Phoenix but not downtown. Ahwatukee and south Tempe would be good choices.

Also, there doesnt happen to be the type of neighborhoods you're looking for near the airport IN Phoenix but there are plenty of nice neighborhoods in the "city". Unlike Chicago there are lots of neighborhoods in Phoenix that are reasonably priced since Phoenix is much more spread out, it's not super dense like Chicago.

[mikeyaris]

Originally Posted by liz451

I think you mean S. 44th street. First off, that is technically Phoenix but not downtown. Ahwatukee and south Tempe would be good choices.

Also, there doesnt happen to be the type of neighborhoods you're looking for near the airport IN Phoenix but there are plenty of nice neighborhoods in the "city". Unlike Chicago there are lots of neighborhoods in Phoenix that are reasonably priced since Phoenix is much more spread out, it's not super dense like Chicago.

My apologies on the address

[TransatPhD]

I'm perfectly happy in central PHX, and there are affordable nice homes here, though I can't account for school districts/children's safety. You don't have to live in Chandler/Mesa/Gilbert. If you do (and you work in PHX), you will have a terrible commute.

[Goober13]

From where you say your job is, the South Phoenix area between 16th Street and 48th Street south of Baseline, South Tempe, or the Paradise Valley area of Phoenix would be workable for you. Even West Chandler.

[mikeyaris]

Thanks for all the feedback.[mod cut--orphaned]. All perspectives are appreciated. I would prefer not to drive 45 min to work every day, but I will keep all options open when I visit in April. Keep the feedback coming guys. Thanks.

[SageCats]

Rent first... there are many apartments available with 3 bedrooms. Or, you could rent a house. Then, while you work here and get to know the areas better, you can then plan where you'd like to buy your home with knowledge of the neighborhoods.

[Valley Native]

The work address sounds like the 44th Street & Van Buren area, which is close to Sky Harbor. There aren't too many decent neighborhoods right near there ... in fact, it's mostly industrial. I would recommend Arcadia, which can be accessed further north on 44th Street between roughly Camelback and Campbell Avenue. The heart of Arcadia is east of 44th Street, primarily Lafayette Boulevard ... very very nice area that consists mainly of older homes with large lots. It's a throwback to what Phoenix used to be decades ago. Prices are generally higher but you're basically paying for the location and the quality of the homes.

As far as education is concerned: forget the public schools because they are pretty lousy. The Phoenix area has some of the best private schools in the country, and your wife would be a lot better off employed by a private school vs. a public district. The pay is generally better, the quality of education is far superior, and the calliber of the students usually is higher.